Can Old Vodka, Etc. Be Used To Mix E-Juice?

[emcw]

Ok. Another silly one. I'm trying to make 100% VG e-juice w/Humco glycerin, distilled water, and flavorings. I hate wasting things and am big on using whatever you can find in the kitchen cabinet whenever possible (which explains the following ... sort of).

Lots of people have suggest using vodka or "grain alcohol" for mixing 100%VG juice. I don't know much about that, though the suggestions were appreciated. Just was never one who liked drinking (made up for it with the habit of smoking too many cigarettes -- lol).

So here's the deal. I have 3 open bottles of alcohol: Vodka, Seagram's 7, and Tequila. There's also an old, unopened bottle of Strawberry Margarite Mix, but I don't suppose that's good for vaping mixes. Don't have a clue how long I've had them -- probably left over from a New Year's Eve party at least 20 (maybe more) years ago and brought by some guests. Since I don't drink but hate waste, I kept them for emergencies -- like if someone gets a bad cut needing to be sterilized or something. Maybe for cooking, but I never had a recipe that called for any of that stuff.

After you get up off the floor after laughing so hard it made you fall out of your chair, I'd really appreciate answers from anyone who knows them.

Ok, maybe I sound like a "dork," but my questions are: 1) Are they bad now from being old and not usable for mixing vape juices, or would a few drops of any of them be good for mixing e-juice? 2) If so, just the vodka or all three (and how about the strawberry margarita mix)? -- and -- 3) Does using alcohol in vape juice work like it does in cooking (burn off so you're not really getting the alcohol affect ... or is it like drinking, possibly causing the alcohol "high," which I don't want?

I can take a joke, so if you want to make fun of me, it's ok. Just give the answers if you know them. If the stuff isn't good for sterilizing, cooking, or vaping, it's probably time to finally throw them away. Right?

 

[keelalagirl55]

Vodka = fine
Tequilla = I would think fine, but will add a little taste
Segrams 7 = unsure
Margarita Mix = NO....but you can still use it without the alcohol....just put in blender with ice and have a nice virgin margarita

also, the amount of alcohol that you would use would do nothing for a buzz...and should burn off like in cooking.

 

[emcw]

Thanks very much. And thanks for not making fun of me. Finally, I can use those bottles!

 

[PaulB]

Some use vodka for various methods of atty/carto cleaning.

 

[Cassie]

I soak my attys in vodka when I clean them. I have also used a few drops to thin vg since too much pg causes throat problems for me. It also seems to add a slight throat hit but I wouldnt use much at all.
If that Martguerita mix has been opened...pitch it. Do not drink it if it's that old and previously opened. I would question it even if it's still sealed. Check label for expiration or call the manufacturer and ask about shelf life.

Not sure about the Tequila & Seagram's... I've only heard of people using everclear and vodka on here.

As far as the alcohol shelf life....unopened bottles are just considered aged and some just get better with age. I would think opened bottles would be ok if capped tightly the entire time.

 

[emus]

If you vaped straight PGA all day.
Perhaps 3-6ml.
I doubt if you'd be drunk.
I used to thin VG w/ PGA but have since switched to H2O.
High concentrations of PGA does produce a mild TH but numbs my throat after awhile resulting in no TH.
Don't know what officer would think about alcohol in your eliquid.

 

[emcw]

Thanks everybody for all the info. This really helps a lot. I just never knew anyone else who's kept open bottles of liquor for a couple decades and could tell me whether or not certain or all kinds go bad. Most people just go ahead and drink it eventually.

@emus, the last time I had a glass of wine my head swam in circles for a couple hours. No telling what vaping all day would do if the alcohol doesn't evaporate. Of course, even if the vapor didn't evaporate it, the law would have a hard time finding any evidence of an open container in the car.

 

[keelalagirl55]

alcohol does not go bad when opened....I have several bottles of gin and brandy from the 70's....all had been opened (inlaws found my brother in laws high school stash a few years back hidden away in their basement) There is nothing in these kinds of alcohol to go bad....germs cannot grow in it....so the bottles of alcohol are a-ok for consumption

Didn't think about an expiration on the margarita mix....especially since you noted that it was unopened.....Not sure if it has a shelf life or not.

 

[emus]

1 teaspoon is 5 ml; takes a long time to vape 5ml.
1 teaspoon of alcohol vaped over several hours wouldn't spin my head.
Maybe it can w/ help of placebo effect but not enough for DWI.
Suppose officer could give one a hard time if alcohol discovered in eliquid, even though it's also in mouth wash, etc.

 

[emcw]

Sorry @emus -- I gave the wrong impression. I was just kidding about chances of a dwi. Am mostly not sure how I'd react to vaping w/alcohol in the mix all day, since I'm apparently really sensitive to it ... maybe even allergic. Already have had some allergic reactions (rash, etc) to PG, I think, when it's in a large amount. Still testing that theory.

Let's face it -- I'm just a mess. But I don't want to give up and just go back to cigarettes, so here I am asking a lot of dumb questions.

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate it.

 

[emus]

I do like to vape VG plus PGA.
Produces a nice TH.
Don't know if good or bad for health.
Too bad TH disappears after a few hours but it does come back next day.
Don't worry I'm a mess as well

 

[keelalagirl55]

Sorry @emus -- I gave the wrong impression. I was just kidding about chances of a dwi. Am mostly not sure how I'd react to vaping w/alcohol in the mix all day, since I'm apparently really sensitive to it ... maybe even allergic. Already have had some allergic reactions (rash, etc) to PG, I think, when it's in a large amount. Still testing that theory.

Let's face it -- I'm just a mess. But I don't want to give up and just go back to cigarettes, so here I am asking a lot of dumb questions.

Thanks for the info. I do appreciate it.

If you are allergic to pg, I DO NOT recommend using alcohol to thin your vg.....use distilled water.

 

[emcw]

Thanks @keelalagirl55. That's reallly helpful and pretty well answers it all. Guess I should have figured that out, but it's just such a long time to have open bottles of anything. Ok, now ready for my next mixing adventure!

Have a great weekend everybody!

 

[emcw]

Whoa ... @keelalagirl55, you must have snuck that last one in while I was typing my post. I have been using distilled water but wanted to try the alcohol if it would make the juice better w/ no allergy problems. It seems I'm at least a little allergic to PG because the rash went away when I stopped using it, but I was going to try to re-introduce very low amounts soon.

What does the alcohol have to do with my reaction to PG? Is there alcohol in PG, too?

 

[emcw]

@emus, I've heard so many things that work really well for other people, but either I can't try them or have tried them and got a little ill. It's reallyl frustrating. Meanwhile, that "demon cigarette" keeps callling, "Come back to me... I'll make you happy this time ...." . You guessed It -- am not over it yet.

Oh well. Nothing to do but keep trying.

 

[Pamdane]

If you go to my profile you will find where I have posted a LOT of recipes using drinking alcohol in them. All 3 spirits you listed CAN be used. I personally would not like to vape anything I can think of making with the Seagrams in it...

 

[emcw]

Thanks @Pamdane. Will take a look, though according to keelalalagirl55 alcohol may not be a good idea. Still, it's good to learn as much as possible and maybe be a help to someone else in time.

I really appreciate you all!

 

[keelalagirl55]

PG has an alcohol molecule (2 actually) attached to it....if it is just a mild reaction to pg, you may be fine. All you can do is try it...if you get the same reaction, you will know that it is the alcohol attachment in pg that you are allergic to. In small quantities, the alcohol may not end up a factor......try it.....just don't want you to end up discouraged from vaping if you have the same reaction. I'd advise only mix the alcohol as you go....that way if it is the alcohol component, you have not wasted all your vg by thinning all of it with the alcohol. As I said, since it is just a mild reaction, it's worth a shot.

 

[emcw]

Hey @keelalagirl55, thank you again. Will do as you suggest to discover the extent of of the reaction.

Do you have a chemistry background by any chance? Or just really up on the finer details of vape juice (hence "PV Master")? Got a most interesting reaction on the inside of a 5ml baby med tube/spoon this a.m. while mixing some stuff. Would love to ask someone who might know about this before throwing things out there that I know nothing about.

btw -- if that's your dog -- very sweet and cute! Miss my old dog (gone for a few years now). Have to be careful there, too. No shedding, etc. Yep. Stupid allergies! Arrrrggggg! My mind and my chemical makeup just never agree on anything.

Have a great weekend!

 

[keelalagirl55]

Nope....just a knowledge nut....I love learning....if I could make a profession outta college, I'd do it in a heartbeat Now if only I could get my kid to love learning

As for the reaction on the med tube, what were you mixing? There are a few flavorings that don't like rubber and plastic much

Yes...she is one of my dogs....thank you! She is my little baby! My heart breaks for you with allergies...I cannot imagine having to be that careful. There are a few breeds though that do very well for people with allergies, the downside is they need a lot of grooming upkeep because they don't shed, or shed so very little.

Oh, btw.....there are a few people here on ECF that do have a vast chemistry knowledge and/or degree....and I am sure, if you spend enough time here in the diy sections, your paths will cross. I love how vast the knowledge pool is in this forum!